It is almost summer time and I don’t know about you, but the long winter had me singing the blues. I cannot wait to go relax at a few of my new favorite restaurants/bars. Like many of you, I can be a workaholic, so I have challenged myself to get out more and enjoy what the Des Moines area has to offer. When I find a find restaurant/bar that has amazing atmosphere as well as great food and beverages, I find myself slipping out of work mode and into a chair at my places.
The Des Moines Farmer’s Market is nothing new, it is one of the best markets I have ever been to, because of the diversity of its vendors and quality of their products. I have always gone and just walked around, grabbed my go-to items and left. The last time I was at the market, I did that, but got side tracked by the thought of a Bloody Mary and sitting at a table outside, close to all the people watching. So we stopped at Johnny’s Hall of Fame. The Bloody Mary was delicious and the people watching was even better!
After dinner with a group of friends a few weeks ago, we went to The Rooftop Bar at 525 East Grand Ave. If you love Moscow Mules, you have to try the Pearl Cucumber one they make here. I tried to duplicate it Memorial Day Weekend at home and it wasn’t even close, which made me sad. Their menu has a great selection. My favorite items is a cheese and caramelized onion flat bread, yummy! I have been at this location for lunch as well as after dinner drinks and it did not disappoint. The view is great, I did not feel like I was in Des moines. It is like being on vacation, I guess is the best way to describe it!
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of being invited to the opening of a new restaurant and bar in West DesMoines called Draughthouse 50. The concept of this location is great. The space is broken up into several areas, the large booths for families or large groups of friends and a very relaxing patio that feels very private and conversational. They also have a large, well designed bar, if you want to be entertained by the bartenders and be where the action is. The interior design of this location is my favorite, that is, besides the homemade crab cakes on the menu, that pass the test of this East Coast Girl!
The interior has a loft, industrial look that is fresh, but not over done. I love the garage doors that make up the space so that when the weather is good you have fresh air flowing like your on vacation, and when it’s not so nice out side they close them.
Please don’t take my word for it, get out and enjoy what Des Moines has to offer. If you have more suggestions for this recovering workaholic, please share and don’t forget to send me a text of where your at and save me a seat!
